Purpose

This bill intends to modify and update the requirements for traffic regulations and vehicle equipment in Minnesota. It also addresses motor vehicle registration processes and relevant fees, while making technical and conforming changes to existing laws.

Main Provisions

• Traffic Regulations and Equipment:

  • Updates traffic control measures, permitting local authorities to utilize speed and red-light cameras between 2025 and 2029.
  • Specifies prohibited vehicle equipment conditions and what constitutes "unsafe."
  • Clarifies the use of vehicle lights, including when and how various lights should be used for different vehicle types such as school buses, motorcycles, and animal-drawn vehicles.
  • Adjusts regulations regarding vehicle visibility, like headlamp and taillamp requirements. Certain additional lights are regulated for height and brightness to ensure they do not impair the visibility of other drivers.

• Vehicle Registration and Licensing:

  • Confirms the registration requirements for motor vehicles and trailers, ensuring registration taxes and fees are paid, and license plates are displayed correctly.
  • Plates for non-commercial vehicles must indicate non-commercial registration unless displaying special plates.
  • Establishes specifications for plate design, including visibility and issuance periods.
  • Introduces the use of self-service kiosks for registration renewals, subject to performance standards.
  • Outlines a streamlined process for extending registration periods for leased vehicles.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Repeals several provisions related to older regulations which are no longer applicable, such as certain vehicle lighting requirements, traffic signal provisions, and obsolete registration plate systems.
• Updates the code to reflect current vehicle safety standards and technology, including the permissible use of auxiliary and reflective lights.
• Provides options for issuing and displaying license plates and validation stickers, especially in relation to newer types of plates and passive registration indicators.
• Redefines what is considered permissible vehicle equipment, streamlining processes for compliance with the latest safety and environmental standards.

Relevant Terms

vehicle registration, traffic regulations, safe equipment, lights and reflectors, auxiliary lights, vehicle visibility, speed camera, red-light camera, license plates, self-service kiosks, motor vehicle, compliance standards.